Dentures and Dental Implants

Your Choice For Dentures in Eugene Oregon

Dentures can replace some or all missing teeth. Depending on your personal needs, there are different types to choose from at North Eugene Family Dental. Dr. Kirchmeier and his team will work with you to determine which type of denture is right for you needs.

Traditional Complete Dentures – This type of denture replaces all of the upper and/or lower teeth. They are held in place by the natural anatomy of the mouth.

Overdentures – Giving dentures more stability and better fit, an overdenture is a type of denture that is placed over dental implants and typically “snaps” onto the implants. This greatly increases their retention to help with chewing and preventing that embarrassing loose denture.

Partial Dentures – A removable partial denture attaches to your natural teeth with clasps that keep them in place, completing your smile by filling out the spaces created by missing teeth. Partial dentures are constructed of replacement teeth attached to pink or gum-colored plastic bases connected by a metal framework. Your natural teeth are used as stable supports for removable partial dentures instead of dental implants.

The alignment of your jaw will slowly change as the bone and gum ridges shrink due to teeth extraction. All types of dentures will experience wear over time, and will need to be replaced or relined in order to maintain proper jaw alignment. Regular dental examinations are still important for the denture wearer so that the oral tissues can be checked for any changes or potential gum disease.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are an increasingly popular way to replace missing teeth. They not only support crowns, bridges, and dentures, but they also take the place of the roots themselves. This allows Dr Kirchmeier to replace a missing tooth without having to alter any other teeth in your mouth. Implants are not only the most life like way to replace a missing tooth they are also the most successful long term restoration dentists perform.

Dental implants are fixtures of titanium, which are surgically placed into your jaw bone. The implant acts as an anchor for a crown or denture to fit over. When a crown is placed on an implant, most people can’t even tell it is an implant because it is so natural looking.

While dentures and removable partials are usually loose and unstable, implants provide you with dental replacements that are natural looking and very functional. Implants look and feel better than their removable counterparts and offer the same force for biting as bridges that are fixed. Best of all, they will last a lifetime if properly maintained.